History is the study of all aspects of the past. This GCSE will therefore be fascinating for anyone interested in people, the things they have done and the reasons they have done them.

This interesting, thought-provoking and stimulating course looks at the key questions in History: Why do things change? What factors (individuals, religion, governments, wars) cause change in history?

The course will be of interest to students who want a sound basis for further study or who simply want to improve their general knowledge.

History GCSE

What the course covers
The analytical skills and methods used will be of use in all areas of GCSE study.

The skills developed in History are vital, regardless of what students decide to do afterwards.

Key skills include:
• The ability to select relevant evidence from a range of sources
• The ability to judge how reliable information is
• The ability to construct a coherent explanation
• The ability to create and defend an argument

These skills are developed through a range of activities. Students will have access to a variety of textbooks and other reference material. Lessons involve group discussion, debate and role play. The four units of study are designed to complement each other. The aim of the department is that students will become very competent young historians. Students will study two main areas of history:

Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Section A: Period Study 25% of GCSE
Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

Section B: Wider World Depth Studies 25% of GCSE
Conflict and tension, 1945–1972

Paper 2: Shaping the Nation
Section A: Thematic Studies 25% of GCSE
Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day
Section B: British Depth Studies including the Historic
Environment 25% of GCSE
Elizabethan England, c1568–1603

Assessment
GCSE History is 100% externally examined. There is no coursework or controlled assessment. All pupils sit the same examination. This means that all pupils can achieve the full range of grades.
Paper 1: 2 hours
Paper 2: 2 hours

Where the course can lead
GCSE History provides a sound basis for Advanced study in a range of subjects and many Higher Education courses. The subject is of high academic status and is regarded as desirable by many professions and employers. It is relevant to: education; law; journalism and the public media; financial, civil, public and leisure services. GCSE History develops a variety of transferable skills.